Victoria Road is the main street of Devonport, lined with Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings that have been well preserved. The street runs from the ferry wharf up through the village, with a succession of independent cafes, bookshops, art galleries, and specialty shops. It is the most characterful main street on Auckland's North Shore.
Several of the buildings date from the 1880s–1900s, when Devonport was a prosperous suburb and a fashionable summer escape from the city. The overall streetscape gives Devonport much of its old-fashioned charm. Browsing Victoria Road and its side streets makes for a pleasant hour before catching the ferry back to Auckland.